Microsoft is teaming with AMD to make the next Xbox ‘a gaming platform that’s always with you,’ but what exactly does that mean?

Microsoft is dead-set on having Xbox be more of a platform than a singular console, as evidenced by its focus on the cloud, the new ROG Xbox Ally X handheld, and “this is an Xbox” marketing.

And now today, Xbox announced it’s teaming with AMD to power the console’s next generation, which president Sarah Bond says is to “co-engineer silicon across a portfolio of devices, including our next-generation Xbox consoles.”

“This is all about building you a gaming platform that’s always with you, so you can play the games you want across devices anywhere you want, delivering you an Xbox experience not locked to a single store or tied to one device,” she said. “That’s why we’re working closely with the Windows team to ensure that Windows is the number one platform for gaming.”

Console, handheld, PC, cloud, and other accessories are all where Xbox is aiming to be in the next generation, a foundation of which has already been laid over the past few years. But the possibilities of Xbox and Windows coming together to integrate multiple digital storefronts onto every device is what sounds like their main idea and selling point.

Rumors have been swirling about the next Xbox integrating all sorts of storefronts, such as Steam, Epic Games, and others, which is already set to be possible on the ROG Xbox Ally X. It’s likely that the new console will have an option to stream your Steam library and other potential store libraries directly from the console and other devices.

And so playing from the cloud on any kind of device with “Xbox Play Anywhere” is where the future is headed. Meanwhile, the YouTube comments are all filled with players simply begging for the console to include a disc drive, all while the gaming industry moves further and further away from physical media with each iteration.

So, it sounds like there will still be a new Xbox console, and likely multiple different models, hopefully at least one with a disc drive to play physical games. Beyond that, there’s going to be the ROG Xbox Ally X, mobile device integration, and other accessories to play games on. Whatever this next console looks and performs like, though, will be the big question.

My other question is, if I can play Xbox games anywhere on any device, including handhelds and phones, why would I need or want to spend hundreds of dollars on a new Xbox console? It’s the same question I’ve had over the past few years, as former Xbox exclusive games have been available on PC and now PS5. What reason is there to own an actual Xbox console if everything is an Xbox? Basically, this AMD announcement has raised even more questions than answers.

“The next generation of Xbox is coming to life, and this is just the beginning,” she said. “We can’t wait to show you what’s next.”

When will that be? It’s possible that gamescom or The Game Awards this year will include some more teases, with the end of 2026 being the potential launch window for the next Xbox family of devices. Either way, gamers and industry experts everywhere are waiting to learn more about whatever Microsoft has planned for its gaming future.